Foster: Gambling websites failing to protect children (Northern Durham Liberal Democrats)

Northern Durham Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Foster: Gambling websites failing to protect children

February 4, 2009 1:49 PM
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats

The Government is expected to admit that some online gambling sites advertising in the UK may be allowing children to gamble because of a failure to make adequate age checks.

These problems were brought to ministers' attention by information revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Websites regulated overseas should only be allowed to advertise in the UK if they pass strict tests. However, Parliamentary answers to Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster, have revealed that up to a third of websites tested failed to meet the right standard. The Government has admitted that all testing of foreign websites ceased in September 2007.

The inadequate rules also make no requirements on overseas operators to contribute to the cost of testing. There is no requirement on such websites to fund research, education or treatment for problem gambling in this country.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said:

"Internet gambling is big business with an annual turnover of up to £1.4bn from UK players.

"It is unbelievable that the Government is allowing these websites to advertise in this country with no concrete assurances that they are operating in a responsible way.

"We have absolutely no guarantees that these websites stop underage gamblers from using them or that the operators are preventing money laundering or other illegal activity.

"It is disgraceful that these companies are under no obligation to contribute in any way to our economy or to help problem gamblers. If overseas gambling companies want to operate in the UK, then they must pay a fee for the privilege.

"Ministers must change these woolly regulations now and stop this country being taken for a ride."